Redemption Through His Blood

May 2026

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

—Colossians 1:14

In Colossians 1:14, the apostle Paul gives to us an empathetic declaration of two things: 1) the one who paid the price for our redemption, and 2) the means of this redemption—death on the cross.

Paul begins verse 14 with two words, “In whom,” which of course refers to the Son of God, Jesus Christ. These two words tell us that salvation is not by works, or a particular church, etc., but by Christ and Christ alone.

The Word of God is specific in its declaration that salvation is only through faith in Christ, which then gives to the believing sinner His grace and His forgiveness of our sin.

As I have mentioned in previous articles taken from Colossians 1, there was a major attempt by Satan to deceive the Colossae church with three distinct false messages—legalism, asceticism, and Gnosticism.

Legalism was about the keeping of the law in order to attain holiness and righteousness. These false teachings were promoting obedience to man-made rules and regulations.

The second was asceticism, the practicing of a strict self-denial of anything that is pleasurable. 

And the third was Gnosticism, which comes from the word gnosis, which means “knowledge.”These false teachers were promoting the heresy of superior knowledge. In Colossians 2:8-10,19, Paul warns us about philosophy and vain deceit, wherein he was taking direct aim against these Gnostics who were creeping into the church.

All three of these false teachings stood in direct opposition to “In whom” as they attacked the ability of Christ and Christ alone to justify and to sanctify. Even today we see the same problem as many churches and religious sects practice a “Christ-plus” salvation.” But here Paul is boldly stating that Christ is sufficient regarding salvation and holy living.

Then the apostle presents to us two more powerful words, “we have,” which tells us that the believer’s redemption is a present possession and not just a future hope. Actually, we speak of salvation in this manner—we are saved (a present justification); we are being saved(sanctification, the ongoing process by which the Holy Spirit is molding and refining us to be a reflection of Christ), and finally, we shall be saved, speaking of glorification which is yet future. 

That which we now possess is redemption, as Paul states, “In whom we have redemption.” The Greek word for redemption is apolutrosis, which means, “to let go free for ransom,” “to redeem,” from which we get the word redemption. It is the recalling of captives (sinners) from captivity (sin), through payment of a ransom for them, i.e., Christ’s death. Sin is presented as slavery and sinners as slaves (Spiros Zodhiates, the Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament). As well, the word redemption speaks of emancipation, a loosening from the powers of the dominion of darkness from both the guilt and power of sin. 

Jessy Dixon wrote it well in song when he said:

I am redeemed, bought with a price, 

Jesus has changed my whole life.

If anybody asks you, just who I am, 

Tell them I am redeemed.

Redemption means that the believing sinner is no longer owned by sin but is now, in fact, a new creation in Christ, which II Corinthians 5:17 declares. Redemption also declares that we are no longer under condemnation (Rom. 8:1).

Then Paul tells us the cost of our redemption: “through his blood.” These three words point directly to the cross of Christ. In Leviticus 17:11, we read “for the life of the flesh is in the blood.” As it was a man who sinned (Adam), therefore it would have to be a man to redeem. 

However, no man born of natural procreation could pay the price because they would have been born in sin, possessing the “sin nature.” So God became man, born of a virgin as the Holy Spirit moved upon Mary and placed into her womb the man, Christ Jesus, whose total purpose was to die on the cross, thus paying the debt of sin that man owed to God which in turn provided redemption for all who will believe. 

His blood was poured out from multiple wounds which, in effect, poured out His life. Our Lord suffered eight wounds signifying a resurrection death, for eight is the number of resurrection. Those wounds were the nails that pierced His two hands, the nails that pierced His two feet, the thorns that were pressed down upon His brow penetrating the scalp, His beard that was plucked from His face, His back that was beaten, and His side being pierced, and with each and every drop of blood, all who will believe and accept can be free.

The result of redemption is then found in the final part of Paul’s statement: “Even the forgiveness of sins.”

Forgiveness means that all sin is removed, not just covered as the blood of the Old Testament sacrifices could only do, but taken away forever—past, present, and future, meaning that there will never have to be another Calvary for, “Jesus paid it all, and all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.”

So today we have a complete and perfect salvation—nothing can be added to it, and nothing can be taken away.

I’m redeemed by love divine!

Glory glory! Christ is mine, Christ is mine!

All to Him I now resign, resign

I have been redeemed!